Thanksgiving is such a magical time, especially when you get to celebrate it with kids! I absolutely adore creating fun and festive treats that not only taste amazing but also bring a whole lot of joy and creativity to the table. These Thanksgiving treats for kids are an absolute delight—think of a delicious pumpkin filling on a buttery graham cracker crust, topped with fluffy whipped cream and adorable chocolate candy eyes! It’s like a mini dessert party that’ll have the little ones giggling and smiling with every bite. Trust me, when you bring out these treats, you can practically hear the “oohs” and “ahhs” as they dig in! So, let’s get started on making these delightful bites that are perfect for your Thanksgiving celebration!
Ingredients List
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree (make sure it’s pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs (these will form a fabulous crust that’s buttery and delicious)
- 1/2 cup of sugar (this adds just the right amount of sweetness)
- 1/2 cup of butter, melted (it helps bind the crust together and adds richness)
- 1 tsp of cinnamon (for that warm, cozy flavor that screams fall)
- 1/4 tsp of nutmeg (just a pinch goes a long way for a festive touch)
- 1 cup of whipped cream (to make it extra fluffy and delightful on top)
- Chocolate candy eyes (these are the fun part—kids love them!)
- 1 cup of mini marshmallows (for that sweet, pillowy finish)
How to Prepare Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Preheat the Oven
First things first, let’s get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because it ensures that our delicious treats bake evenly and come out perfectly fluffy. Trust me, you don’t want to skip this part!
Prepare the Pumpkin Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup of pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 tsp of cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp of nutmeg. Use a whisk to mix everything together until it’s nice and smooth. The aroma of pumpkin and spices will fill your kitchen, and you’ll be tempted to dive right in! But hold on, we’ve got more steps to follow!
Make the Crust
Now, let’s whip up that crust! In another bowl, mix the 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs with the 1/2 cup of melted butter. Stir until it’s well combined and crumbly. It should resemble wet sand—perfect for making a crust that’s buttery and delicious! Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your baking dish. I like to use the back of a measuring cup to really get it packed down nicely.
Assemble the Layers
Time to layer! Spread the pumpkin mixture evenly over the graham cracker crust. Make sure to get every corner covered—it’s all about that pumpkin goodness! You want each bite to be packed with flavor. Now it’s ready to go into the oven!
Baking Time and Cooling
Bake your creation in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the edges look set, and the center isn’t jiggly. Once it’s out, let it cool in the dish for a bit. I usually let it sit for about 15–20 minutes, then transfer it to the fridge to chill completely. This helps all those flavors meld together beautifully!
Decorating the Treats
Now for my favorite part—decorating! Once your treats have cooled, top them generously with 1 cup of whipped cream. Get creative! Scatter mini marshmallows on top and add those adorable chocolate candy eyes to give it a fun twist. It’s a great way to get the kids involved too—let them help with the decorating! They’ll love making these treats their own.
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on the nutritional details for each piece of these delightful Thanksgiving treats for kids. Keep in mind that nutrition can vary based on the specific ingredients or brands you choose, so this is just a general guideline!
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s super fun and festive, making it perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations!
- Easy preparation means you can whip these up with the kids in no time.
- Kid-friendly ingredients that they’ll love, from pumpkin to marshmallows!
- Customizable decorations allow the little ones to get creative.
- Deliciously sweet and creamy, with that perfect pumpkin spice flavor.
- Each bite is a delightful mix of textures—crunchy crust, smooth filling, and fluffy topping!
- Great for sharing with family and friends, spreading holiday cheer.
Tips for Success
Alright, friends, let’s make sure your Thanksgiving treats turn out absolutely perfect! Here are some of my top tips to keep in mind:
- Use fresh pumpkin puree: If you can, try to use fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned. It gives a richer flavor, but if you’re short on time, canned is perfectly fine—just make sure it’s pure pumpkin!
- Don’t skip the cooling: After baking, let your treats cool before adding the whipped cream and decorations. This helps everything stay in place and makes for a much prettier presentation!
- Pack that crust: When pressing the graham cracker crust into the dish, really pack it down firmly. A well-compressed crust will hold together better when you cut your treats later!
- Customize your spices: Feel free to tweak the cinnamon and nutmeg according to your taste. If you love pumpkin spice, throw in a pinch of ginger or cloves for an extra kick!
- Get the kids involved: Let the little ones help with the mixing, layering, and decorating—it turns cooking into a fun family activity! Plus, they’ll love making it their own.
- Watch the bake time: Every oven is a bit different, so keep an eye on your treats as they bake. You want them set but not overcooked—no one likes a dry dessert!
- Use a sharp knife: When it’s time to cut your treats, use a sharp knife and clean it between cuts for nice, tidy pieces. It makes a big difference in presentation!
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating the most delightful Thanksgiving treats for kids that everyone will adore. Happy baking!
Variations on Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
One of the best parts about these Thanksgiving treats for kids is how easily you can customize them to suit your family’s tastes or the occasion. Here are some fun variations to get your creative juices flowing:
- Chocolate Pumpkin Layer: Mix some cocoa powder into the pumpkin mixture for a chocolatey twist! It adds a rich flavor that pairs wonderfully with the spices.
- Nutty Crust: Swap out some of the graham cracker crumbs for finely chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, to give your crust an extra crunch and a nutty flavor.
- Fruit Topping: Instead of marshmallows, try topping the whipped cream with fresh fruit like pomegranate seeds or sliced strawberries for a pop of color and freshness!
- Spiced Whipped Cream: Add a touch of vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to your whipped cream to enhance that festive flavor. Yum!
- Mini Treats: For a fun twist, use a mini muffin tin to create bite-sized versions of these treats. They’re perfect for little hands and make great snacks!
- Colorful Sprinkles: Let the kids go wild with colorful sprinkles! A sprinkle of festive colors on top of the whipped cream can make these treats even more exciting.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free graham crackers to make these treats suitable for everyone. You won’t lose any deliciousness with this swap!
Feel free to mix and match these ideas or come up with your own! The goal is to have fun and make these treats as festive and enjoyable as possible for the little ones. Happy creating!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
After enjoying these delightful Thanksgiving treats for kids, you might have some leftovers (if you’re lucky!). Here’s how to store them properly so you can savor the flavors later:
- Refrigeration: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days, but trust me, they’re best enjoyed within the first couple of days!
- Layering: If you need to stack them, place a layer of parchment paper between the treats to prevent sticking. You want to keep that beautiful whipped cream intact!
- Freezing: If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the treats! Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just transfer them to the fridge to thaw overnight. This keeps the texture nice and creamy.
- No Reheating Needed: These treats are best served cold, so there’s no need to reheat them. Just slice and enjoy straight from the fridge!
With these tips, you can enjoy every last crumb of your Thanksgiving treats, keeping the festive spirit alive even after the big day! Happy snacking!
Z nadrukami
Thanksgiving Treats for Kids: 7 Joyful Recipes to Try
- Całkowity Czas: 45 minutes
- Ustępować: 12 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
Fun and festive treats to celebrate Thanksgiving with kids.
Składniki
- 1 cup of pumpkin puree
- 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of butter, melted
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp of nutmeg
- 1 cup of whipped cream
- Chocolate candy eyes
- 1 cup of mini marshmallows
Instrukcje
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in another bowl.
- Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of a baking dish.
- Spread the pumpkin mixture over the crust.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Let it cool, then top with whipped cream and mini marshmallows.
- Decorate with chocolate candy eyes.
Uwagi
- Customize the decorations for different themes.
- Use gluten-free graham crackers for a gluten-free version.
- Store leftovers in the fridge.
- Czas Przygotowania: 20 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 25 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 piece
- Kalorie: 150
- Cukier: 10g
- Sód: 50mg
- Kwasy: 7g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 4g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 2g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 20g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Słowa kluczowe: thanksgiving treats for kids
